Position Summary

Hourly-intermittent temporary position available on or after December 1, 2026 for the Theatre department. Appointment will be made for one year from date of hire with the possibility of reappointment based on budget, department needs, and job performance.

This position’s responsibilities are carried out independently under general direction. The Stage Manager is responsible for coordinating and executing the stage-management function from pre-production through closing night. The position serves as the central communication point connecting the Director’s artistic vision with the cast, crew, designers, and participating production areas.

The incumbent runs rehearsals and performances, calls cues for music, lighting, sound, scene changes, and other performance elements, and applies an artistic understanding of the play to the timing, rhythm, pacing, and continuity of the production. Incumbent will support multiple production specialties, including participating in production planning meetings, designing components of stage productions; determining need for and coordinating the acquisition of stage supplies; and maintaining schedules for stage facilities. Incumbents also may serve as the technical and/or operational production manager.

Job Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Runs performances from the designated calling location using the prompt book, cue sheets, headset, communication systems, and other stage-management tools.
• Prepares and uses run-of-show sign-in sheets to confirm that cast and crew are present and ready for assigned calls.
• Calls cues for lighting, music, sound, scene changes, projections, costumes, special effects, and other performance elements.
• Applies an artistic understanding of the play to coordinate cues with the action, music, rhythm, emotional timing, and movement of the production.
• Coordinates the timing, pacing, continuity, and transitions of the production in collaboration with the Director.
• Oversees actors and crew during rehearsals and performances.
• Ensures that calls, cues, transitions, and performance responsibilities are completed according to the approved production plan.
• Coordinates theatre opening, closing, and performance procedures.
• Ensures that production spaces and equipment are secured at the conclusion of rehearsals and performances.
• Completes and distributes show reports after each performance.
• Works with the Production Manager to coordinate auditions, rehearsal schedules, production meetings, and performance calls.
• Ensures audition forms, cast and crew contact information, and production records are complete and current.
• Prepares scene breakdowns, prop lists, special-effects lists, and related production materials for distribution to appropriate personnel.
• Coordinates and conducts production meetings; records decisions, assignments, changes, and follow-up items.
• Creates and distributes weekly and daily rehearsal schedules.
• Runs rehearsals and coordinates cast, crew, Assistant Stage Managers, student assistants, and stage personnel.
• Maintains the prompt book, including blocking, cues, transitions, notes, and production instructions.
• Provides or coordinates line support during rehearsals when needed.
• Coordinates applicable rehearsal breaks and production procedures.
• Prepares and distributes rehearsal reports and follows up on outstanding production matters.
• Checks rehearsal spaces before calls to ensure the stage and facilities are prepared.
• Maintains familiarity with the complete production to support the transition from rehearsals to performances.
• Serves as the central communication point connecting the artistic vision, production areas, and production logistics from pre-production through closing.
• Coordinates communication among the Director, Production Manager, Department Chair, designers, cast, crew, department leads, and crew heads.
• Provides lead work direction to Assistant Stage Managers, student assistants, stage crew, and other assigned production personnel.
• Delegates assigned stage-management and crew responsibilities.
• Acts as the primary mediator, communicator, and problem solver during rehearsals and performances.
• Identifies production issues, coordinates immediate responses, and refers matters requiring approval to the appropriate authority.
• Communicates production changes, instructions, and outstanding issues to appropriate personnel.
• Coordinates production closeout activities and communicates final outstanding matters.
• May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
• At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
• The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Professional training or applicable college coursework and practical experience.

Experience: One (1) to Two (2) years of experience working for a theater, repertory or stock company engaged in the applicable production specialty such as costume construction, stage and set construction, lighting production, and/or sound/audio production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of directly related experience in theatre production.
• Two years of directly related experience in stage managing musical theatre productions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre, Stage Management, Theatre Production, or Performing Arts.
• Experience in a CSU or higher education setting.
• Experience with creating rehearsal schedules and daily rehearsal reports.
• Experience with supervising Assistant Stage Managers or student crews.
• Experience with stage managing productions involving student performers or student production crews.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to support classroom instruction by performing classroom demonstrations related to production specialty.
• Ability to work with faculty and provide training and supervision to students involved in productions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the methods and problems in multiple production specialties.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design theory and principles and how they are executed in various production specialties.
• Working knowledge of directing and stage management, including the ability to manage staging needs for productions requiring numerous costume and set changes and the ability to manage and coordinate the use of multiple facilities.
• Thorough and in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of construction, implementation, and operation of staging materials and effects in the various production specialties, including the ability to work with drawings and plots to assist in their execution.
• Comprehensive knowledge of safety measures and hazards related to theatre productions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals at all levels within the organization.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary Range

Anticipated starting salary will be $26.69 (step 1) per hour. Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to contract negotiations. Full $26.69 (step 1) – $38.88 (step 20) per hour.

Compensation & Benefits

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

How to Apply

To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application, cover letter, and resumé. Applications are accepted electronically only. Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration. To apply online, please click the “Apply Now” button on this page. Applications will be processed in accordance with Article 9.3 of the CSU/CSUEU Memorandum of Understanding. Preference will be given to qualified individuals currently employed at CSU Stanislaus in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 except when it is determined that it is necessary to appoint outside applicants to meet the best interest of the campus by obtaining specialized skills and abilities not available from current employees.

Application Deadline

November 5, 2026

Background Clearance Notice

Satisfactory completion of a background check (which includes checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records; and may include motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.